Kamal Ghorui
Ram Navami, the auspicious appearanceday of Sri Ram, is not only a celebration of a divine birth but also a reminder of a way of living rooted in dharm, courage, and surrender.
Rama says that if even once a devotee offers himself in surrender, saying, “O Ram, iam yours. I am your servant; i want to live by your instructions. I want to remember you always,” then such a person is accepted by Ram completely.
He assures that when someone surrenders and prays with sincerity, he grants them fearlessness. This is his vow. In the material world, we constantly face challenges and fearful situations. And ultimately, we all must face death alone. It is a deeply personal, individual experience. No one accompanies us at that moment. Therefore, we must learn to become fearless. This assurance from Ram becomes our shelter. If we remember his pastimes, his lila , his message, and his extraordinary character as the ideal for human life, then gradually our consciousness becomes filled with Ram, and he protects us under all circumstances.
We come into this world with a body made of panchbhutas . We also have a sukshm sharir , consisting of manas , which thinks and creates ideas and emotions. Buddhi , which gives directions to our bodily actions. And ahamkaar , which gives a sense of wrong identity to the self.
After we are born, grow up, and as we become older, more intelligent and mature, we set out with our army of senses, mind, and intellect to pursue our own intent to lord over the world. We are driven by the thought process – ‘i’ve come into this world, i have this panchbhuta sharir, tribut sharir and sukshm sharir, to whom does all this belong? Am i the owner of all this? Am i the owner of this body and the owner of the senses?’ But is that the truth? An alternative understanding emerges, this body does not belong to me, these senses are not mine, even my existence is not independent.
Hrishikena hrishikesha-sevanam bhaktir ucyate – everything belongs to the Supreme, Sri Ram. Whatever strength we have, whatever abilities we possess, everything is his. And we, too, belong to him. Therefore, the purpose of body, mind, and senses is not for our enjoyment, but for his service.
To think that ‘the senses are mine for my pleasure’ is ignorance. To understand that everything belongs to the Lord, that is true knowledge. Scriptures teach that the Lord is the ultimate owner of everything, from the smallest to the greatest. When we live in service, we live in surrender. And in that surrender, we find our ultimate refuge.
Ram Navami, therefore, is more than a festival. It is a reminder to look beyond temporary identities and rediscover a deeper connection with purpose and responsibility.
The writer is vice-chairman and co-mentor, Hare Krishna Movement & president, Vrindavan Heritage Tower
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